Maria
A sharp pain in my side causes me to wince as I gradually turn, tucked in a strange bed. A ray of sunlight sneaks past the tightly closed curtains, and I place my hand over my eyes to shield it. I'm not sure if I'm ready to wake up. My brain strains to figure out what's happened and blames it on a nightmare. But it's real because I feel like I've been rolling around in hell.
I don't know where I am.
Panic tightens my body, which makes the pain worse, as my mind races through possibilities. I know I'm not in the penthouse or Holtsville. Did the brigadiers abduct me again?
I let out a low moan and close my eyes tight, wishing I could go back in time.
My eyes close again, and I wince as the pain stabs into my side, but I stop squirming when a strong hand rests on my shoulder.
I op
